Grants of €10,000 Available to Employers to Hire Over 50’s says O’Rourke, but Scheme Needs Co-ordination

Local Fianna Fail TD, Frank O’Rourke, has welcomed the government’s move to provide an incentive to employers to hire people over-50, but said that the revised JobsPlus Acheme needs better marketing and co-ordination.“Under the JobsPlus Scheme, from the 1st of January 2018, grants of €10,000 will be available to employers if they employ people who are over 50 years of age, that have been on the live register, and unemployed for at least 312 days in the previous 18 months.”“There are barriers for older people returning to work and we must reduce these barriers. The JobsPlus Scheme has been refocussed, and now employers are entitled to a subsidy of €10,000 when hire people over 50 years of age.”“JobsPlus is a cash incentive to employers who offer full-time jobs to the long-term unemployed. We must incentivise employers to hire people who are over 50. Older people can be discriminated against, however, the skills and knowledge that they possess can be very beneficial for businesses and younger generations that are working alongside them.”“We must start to promote a positive image of older people in the workforce. This change to the JobsPlus Scheme is a step in the right direction. However, I believe that the Department of Social and Employment needs to bring more co-ordination to the scheme and match those looking for work to employers who are seeking employees.” “As our population ages, we must start to refocus our benefits and supports to ensure that older people are valued in both the work environment and in our community. I will continue to raise the importance of these types of supports for older people,” concluded Deputy O’Rourke.